Technical Abstract:
Soybean oil-based polymers were prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of epoxidized soybean oil with Lewis acid catalyst. The formed polymers (HPESO) could be converted into hydrogels through hydrolysis. Characterization and viscoelastic properties of this soy hydrogel and application in controlled release drugs were investigated. The HPESO hydrogels exhibited viscoelastic solid or gel behavior above 2 (wt. %) concentration at room temperature and viscous liquid behavior at 55 deg C. The thermal assembly, disassembly, and reassembly function of the HPESO hydrogel was completely reversible. The function and behavior of the HPESO hydrogel suggests that this biomaterial is suitable for application in drug delivery and scaffolds of bioengineering. Meanwhile, the HPESO hydrogels were evaluated by the loading and release of the water-soluble anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox). The results show that this new system may offer great potential to deliver Dox effectively for the treatment of multidrug resistant breast cancer.